Abstract
Teratomas are germ cell tumors, manifested with a great variety of clinical features; the most common extragonadal site is the anterior mediastinum. In this case, we report the patient with a large mature mediastinal teratoma with several components of ectodermal and endothermal epithelium. A 24-year-old female patient presented with history of persistent chest pain and progressively aggravating dyspnea for the previous 3 months. A chest X-ray showed a large opacity of the entire left hemithorax. Transcutaneous needle aspiration revealed a purulent fluid. The tube thoracostomy was introduced and the effusion was evacuated. Some weeks later, patient was seen in emergency for persistent cough and lateral chest pain. CT scan revealed a mass of the left hemithorax. The mass showed heterogeneous density, without compressing mediastinum great vessels and left hilar structures. Lipase value was elevated in needle aspiration. The patient underwent a total resection of the mediastinum mass via a left posterolateral thoracotomy. Microscopy revealed a mature teratoma with cystic structures. The patient subsequently made a full recovery. This case provide benign mediastinal teratoma with total atelectasis of left lung and elevated lipase value in needle transcutaneous aspiration; this event is explained by pancreatic component in the cystic tumor. Total removal of the tumor is adequate treatment for this type of teratoma and the prognosis is excellent.
Highlights
Germ cell tumors are pronominally found in gonads
Most mediastinal teratomas produce no symptoms; they are more commonly associated with compression of mediastinal structures
We present the case of a patient with mediastinal mature teratoma taken originally for empyema
Summary
Germ cell tumors are pronominally found in gonads. Teratomas are classified to be composed of ectopic tissues from 2 or 3 germs layers, including mature, immature, or malignant components [1]. Most mediastinal teratomas produce no symptoms; they are more commonly associated with compression of mediastinal structures (great vessels, respiratory system). Teratomas mostly occur in young adults, with an approximately equal incidence in males and females [2]. We present the case of a patient with mediastinal mature teratoma taken originally for empyema
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